Considering that we imagine that public land is highly pressured, with little to no food and poor accessibility, I would think that a giant whitetail would be hard to find on public land. And yet, I have seen strangers and friends get the best deal on solid public land.
Learn How to Use Maps
Several apps provide maps of public hunting lands and provide different layers for studying the terrain. Another friend explained that sometimes he doesn’t have to visit public spots every time. To determine if bucks are likely to travel through an area, he studies topographical maps and terrain features.
For public hunters, mobile scouting has become an essential part of their hunting success. The process of identifying creek beds, funnels from food sources, and shelves intersecting with a dense brush has become an essential part of hunting success. You need to learn the map from a hunting perspective and you are one step ahead.
Get Off the Beaten Path
Hunting is often lazy with hunters choosing the most convenient spots to access and haul gear into. It is not a crime, but it doesn’t exactly progress the hunt. Most local hunters are likely unwilling to venture too far to harvest a buck on public land.
Don’t be afraid to dive deep into areas miles away from the nearest pull-off. Often, this is where the honey holes are. Don’t get discouraged if you have to hike to places most people would ignore.
Be Mobile, Stay Mobile
The best way to handle public hunting is to use both a hang-and-hunt and a saddle stand. They aren’t quite as convenient as pre-set stands, but when time is short, you need the versatility to change setups quickly.
There is a good chance that you will be set up in a good spot, but you’ll notice the deer are using a trail that runs next to the ridge. With a mobile hunting method, you will be able to change positions stealthily and be ready to ambush the deer when they arrive.
Check Your Conditions
During a conversation with a friend about his experiences hunting public or private land, he mentioned how paranoid public deer can be. To avoid getting caught, monitor the weather patterns.
As a hunter, you have a limited time to hunt, so you must make the most out of every sit. Nothing blows a spot faster than wind, thermal changes, or poor sightings that alert the deer to your presence.
Identify Buck Food Sources & Bedding
Having said that, scouting maps can’t paint the whole picture. When hiking into a spot, it is important to pay attention to your surroundings and look for locations that would be attractive to deer. There are many spots on public land where bucks like to escape, including thick patches of white oaks and areas with fallen trees.
Utilize Cell Cams
In terms of hunting, cellular trail cameras have changed hunting forever. It is essential to be able to monitor the area you are hunting without disturbing the land with the human intrusion. You can monitor what’s happening in a few spots with a cell camera even if you are only hunting for a few days. That will keep you from wasting time in spots that aren’t active.
If you’re looking for top hunting land for sale in Georgia, check out the listings right here at Georgia Landsource.
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